Chopra Tank, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Chopra Tank, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Chopra Tank is a historic stepwell located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This tank is situated to north of Chitragupta temple. It is the least visited monument in Khajuraho and  lies outside the western group.

History

The Tank was built by Chandelas in the 11^th century CE.

The Tank

It is a three storied stepped tank. It is square in plan with a pavilion in the centre. It is in a very dilapidated state. It is believed that this step tank was associated with the Chitragupta temple and was for the healing of diseases.

Connectivity

The Tank is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Rajnagar, 9 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 12 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location

Ganesha Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Ganesha Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Ganesha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaga located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple is situated close to Matangesvara Temple. This temple houses two Vinayaga idols and two Lingas in its sanctum. 

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Rajnagar, 9 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 12 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location

Varaha Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Varaha Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Varaha Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. The Temple enshrines a colossal monolithic image of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple depicts Varaha as a purely animal form. This temple is considered as part of the western group at Khajuraho. This temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments. This Temple is located next to Lakshmi Temple and opposite to Lakshmana Temple.

History

The Varaha Temple is believed to have been constructed around 900 – 925 A.D. by Chandela King Yashovarman as a celebration for his victory over his Pratihara overlord.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west and built on a lofty plinth. The shrine is built entirely of sandstone. It has an oblong pavilion with a pyramidal roof of receding tiers, resting on fourteen plain pillars. It measures 6 m in length and 5 m in width.  The shrine houses a colossal monolithic image of Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This temple depicts Varaha as a purely animal form. The idol of Varaha is 2.6 m long and 1.7 high. 

The sculpture is carved with numerous figures of Hindu mythology on its entire body. There are more than 675 miniature figures in twelve neatly carved rows on its body. These figures depict the gods and goddesses of Hindu pantheon including different manifestations of Lord Shiva, different forms of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Surya, Saraswathi, Ganesha, Saptamatrikas, Nagadevas, Ashta Dikpalakas, Saptha Rishis, Navagrahas, river goddesses, the seas, the Rudras and Gandharvas.

There was also an image of earth goddess, however it is missing now but traces of her can be seen in the pedestal. A crawling serpent can be seen on the pedestal beneath the Varaha. The sculpture carved between nose and mouth, depicts goddess (of Saraswathi) carrying Veena in her arms. The flat ceiling of the shrine is carved with a lotus flower of exquisite design in relief.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Rajnagar, 9 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 12 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location

Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Ghantai Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Ghantai Temple is a ruined  Jain temple dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Adinatha located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. It is also known as the Ghanti temple and considered part of the eastern group at Khajuraho. This temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments.

History

The temple is believed to have been constructed in 995 CE during the reign of the Chandela King Dhanga Deva (950-999 CE). It is similar to the Parshvanatha temple but was constructed after the Parshvanatha temple. When the British archaeological surveyor Alexander Cunningham visited in 1852, he assumed this temple to be a Buddhist shrine because of a Buddha statue found near the site. However, later studies have established it to be a Jain temple. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The Temple is similar in style to the Parshvanatha temple, but it is larger in size. The temple was dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Rishabhnath (also known as Adinatha). The temple is now in ruins and its walls have been collapsed completely. Only the pillars of the entrance porch and the maha mandapa have survived. The maha mandapa has an elaborate doorway, but the enclosing walls have collapsed. The door lintel of the mandapa features Adinatha's yakshini attendant Chakresvari. She is depicted as having eight arms and sitting on a garuda. The architrave on the doorway features carvings of six auspicious symbols said to have been dreamt by Mahavira's pregnant mother.

The surviving pillars feature a chain and bell (ghanti) motif, after which the temple is now known. The ceiling of the entrance porch features coffers. The oblong panels bordering the ceiling are carved with figures of dancers and musicians. A large sculpture, now located at the Khajuraho museum, was found at the Ghantai temple ruins. This sculpture features figures of 52 Jinas, including a central figure of Rishabhnath standing in kayotsarga pose. The sculpture also features Sarvanubhuti on its left side and a four-armed Chakresvari on its right side.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 6 Kms from Rajnagar, 9 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 13 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location

Jain Museum, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Jain Museum, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Jain Museum is situated inside Group of Temples, located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This Museum is considered part of the eastern group at Khajuraho. This Museum is also called as Sahu Shanti Prasad Jain Kala Sangrahalaya. It houses several ancient Jain artefacts and remains from Chandella period excavated in and around Khajuraho.

Connectivity

The Museum is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Rajnagar, 10 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 13 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location | Photos

Shantinatha Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Shantinatha Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Shantinatha Temple is a Jain temple dedicated to the Jain tirthankara Shantinatha located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple is one of a cluster of three Jain temples considered part of the eastern group at Khajuraho. This temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments.

History

This temple complex consists of two Chandella period shrines, along with fragment of other Chandella period temples. The present structure might have been constructed in 1870 CE, when a Gajarath festival was organized by Kanchhedtilal Jain of Nagaur marking a renewal of the site accompanied by installations of new images, as indicated by the inscriptions. The pedestal of the 12 foot Shantinatha image in the Shantinatha temple bears an inscription dated to 1027-28 CE mentioning the installation by Chandra Deva, the son of Thakur Devadhar. The inscription is now hidden under plaster. The original Shantinatha temple has been incorporated the 19^th century structure and is now the main centre of Jain worship in Khajuraho. The temple has been classified as a Monument of National Importance by the Archaeological Survey of India.

The Temple

The current temple complex features modern construction but the temple houses two Chandella period shrines, along with fragment of other Chandella period shrines and modern shrines of 19^th Century CE. The present structure is a quadrangle housing 19^th century Jain shrines with an open courtyard in the middle. The ancient stone structure and elements are clearly seen embedded in the 19^th century structure.

The Shantinatha shrine is the prime place of Jaina worship. It enshrines a colossal (4.5 m high) image of Adinatha. The pedestal of the Shantinatha image bears an inscription dated to 1027-28 CE mentioning the installation by Chandra Deva, the son of Thakur Devadhar. The inscription is now hidden under plaster. The Shantinatha image is flanked by smaller images of all the 24 tirthankara. Ganga and Yamuna can be seen in the doorjambs. Idol of a 12^th century CE dancing Kshetrapala can be seen at the entrance.

There is an impressive sculpture of a Yaksha can be seen inside the temple. There are about 18 shrines in the temple complex housing idols dating from 10^th – 19^th Century CE. Some of the idols were brought from the ruins of Jain temples in nearby districts. There is a gallery displaying historical photographs and prints from early 20^th century CE in the quadrangle. There is a sculpture of Mahavira's parents in the temple premises. It is noted for its artistic execution.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Rajnagar, 10 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 13 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location | Photos

Parvati Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Parvati Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Parvati Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple is considered as part of the western group at Khajuraho. This temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments. This temple is situated immediately to the south west of the Visvanatha temple.

The Temple

This temple is considered as one of the subsidiary shrine of Vishvanatha temple. The temple consisted of  sanctum and entrance porch. The porch is completely lost and only the plinth of the sanctum has survived. The Sanctum is heavily restored. Though, the temple is called as Parvati temple, the deity inside the sanctum is river goddess Ganga. She is found standing on her vehicle crocodile. However, the sanctum door has an image of Vishnu in the middle of the lintel indicates the door might have belonged to Vishnu Shrine. The Sanctum door is highly ornate. The side and back walls do not have any sculptures.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Rajnagar, 9 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 12 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location

Lakshmi Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Lakshmi Temple, Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

Lakshmi Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi, consort of Lord Vishnu, located at Khajuraho town in Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh, India. This temple is considered as part of the western group at Khajuraho. This temple is part of UNESCO World Heritage Site along with other temples in Khajuraho Group of Monuments. This Temple is located next to Varaha Temple and opposite to Lakshmana Temple.

The Temple

This Temple is facing towards west. It houses an image of Brahmini, but originally it housed Garuda, mount of Lord Vishnu. The temple is constructed on high raised platform and can be accessed through a flight of steps. The temple consists of mukha mandapa and sanctum. The shikhara over the sanctum is of modest height only when compared to other temples in the compound. The side and back walls do not have any sculptures.

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 1.5 Kms from Khajuraho Bus Stand, 7 Kms from Khajuraho Airport, 7 Kms from Rajnagar, 9 Kms from Khajuraho Railway Station, 12 Kms from Bamitha, 41 Kms from Chhatarpur, 47 Kms from Panna and 379 Kms from Bhopal. Khajuraho is situated on Bamitha to Rajnagar route. Khajuraho railway station connects the town by a daily train to Delhi via Mahoba, Jhansi and Gwalior. It provides a daily train connecting to Agra, Jaipur, Bhopal and Udaipur. A local daily train also connects to Kanpur, whilst Varanasi is connected three times a week. Khajuraho Airport has flights to Delhi, Agra, Varanasi and Mumbai.

Location